Nef, who also won at Maribor last year, led by 1.24 seconds after the first run and finished in 2 minutes, 21.48 seconds, 2:23.01 ahead of Tina Maze, a local teen-ager who finished second. Stina Hofgard-Nilsen of Norway was third in 2:23.12.

The victory was Nef's second in the giant slalom this season. The 29-year-old Nef dominated the giant slalom last season with six World Cup wins, including five in a row, and won the event at the World Alpine Championships.

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Sarah Schleper of Vail, Colo., was 10th in 2:23.96. Michaela Dorfmeister of Austria, leader in the overall standings, was 23rd in 2:24.61.

The World Cup series continues at Maribor with back-to-back slaloms over the weekend.